Iran Summons Swiss Envoy Over Seizure of Oil Cargo by US
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Foreign Ministry summoned Switzerland’s ambassador to Iran in protest at the US government’s confiscation of Iranian oil ship near Greece.
The Swiss envoy whose country represents the US interests in the Islamic Republic, was summoned on Friday.
The Swiss Chargé d'affaires received Tehran’s protest in the absence of the ambassador after the US government’s confiscated Iranian oil near Greece and decided to send the cargo to the United States aboard another vessel.
The Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its grave concern and outrage at the United States government's continued violations of international maritime law and applicable international conventions, particularly the concept of freedom of shipping and open international trade and stressed the immediate release of the ship and its cargo by the United States.
The Swiss charge d'affaires indicated that he will bring the matter to US officials as quickly as possible.
IRNA quoted Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization as saying the tanker had sought refuge along Greece’s coast after experiencing technical problems and poor weather, adding that the seizure of its cargo was "a clear example of piracy".
The foreign ministry also on Wednesday summoned the charge d'affaires of Greece's embassy in Tehran following the seizure of the cargo of a ship which was "under the banner of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Greek waters and he was informed of the strong objections" of Iran's government.
The confiscation was confirmed by a Western source familiar with the matter, who said the cargo was transferred onto the Liberia-flagged tanker Ice Energy, which is operated by Greek shipping company Dynacom.